The fight will serve as a reserve bout for the night’s world bantamweight grand prix.

The event, officially dubbed “DREAM: Fight for Japan. How are you! New Year! 2011″ takes place Dec. 31 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

The card airs live in the U.S. on HDNet.

Tokoro recently snapped a four-fight win streak and was bounced from the world grand prix with a close split-decision loss to Antonio Banuelos in the quarterfinals at DREAM.17. Earlier this year, the 34-year-old Japanese fighter won the Japan grand-prix tourney with wins over Yoshiro Maeda, Atsushi Yamamoto and Masakazu Imanari. That earned him entry into the world grand prix.

He now meets Saadulaev, who suffered an opening-round world-grand-prix loss to Rodolfo Marques Diniz at DREAM.17. It was the first pro loss for the fighter, who’s competed for U.S. organizations such as XFO and Total Fight Challenge. Seven of his wins have come via stoppage.

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